”Ordinarily, the parishioners would have gone to conventional hospitals and pay for the cost of treatment of these diseases, but we offer to treat free of charge,” he said

Okonkwo said the doctors enlightened the people on some diseases and the need for them to take precautionary measures to avoid them.

“We are imparting the health knowledge in them, more like creating awareness for them to know what to do to avoid these diseases,” he said.

The doctor expressed concern over the increased rate of hepatitis in the society, noting that the disease was caused by toxins, such as alcohol and hard drugs. He said the commonest way of getting the disease was through unprotected sex and blood transfusion.

Okonkwo described the turnout for the event as very encouraging.

Mrs Ikhumi Florence, a parishioner, described the conference as very educative.

“I am really happy that I have learnt a lot from this event and it will help me to be more conscious of my health,” Florence said.

Mrs Esther Edawu, another participant, commended the church for contributing to the health of its members.

She said the event was an eye opener for her to be more conscious about some diseases and how to avoid them.

“I did not know a lot about cancer of the cervix before the event, but after the lecture, I have been better informed about the causes and preventive measures of such diseases,” Edawu added.